nightlife
Santa Monica After Dark Is the Pier and the Promenade
Santa Monica After Dark Is the Pier and the Promenade
Third Street Promenade is the walking strip and it's active until around 11 PM most nights. Misfit Bar on 3rd is a serious cocktail room in a restored Art Deco building. Basement Tavern under the Victorian has been the neighborhood's bar for a long time.
For music, Harvelle's on 4th Street has been running blues and jazz nightly since 1931. The Pier has seasonal concerts on the weekends but quiets down after. For dancing, you're going east to Venice's clubs or up to West Hollywood.
LA's 2 AM last call is hard and non-negotiable. The Pier's carnival closes at 11 PM. Santa Monica doesn't do late — if you want a 3 AM room, book the Uber to West Hollywood before your second drink.
